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3/27/08

Malaysia's Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob, who created history by becoming the first female judge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is taking the appointment in her stride. The former Chief Judge of Malaya said she was initially a bit apprehensive as to how the UAE would react to a Muslim woman sitting in judgment. "But I've been proven wrong. Additionally, my country is also honoured by the recognition given to me," said Siti Norma, one of the six new judges of the Dubai International Financial Centre Court. She told XPress newspaper that she felt honoured and proud by the appointment, and grateful for the confidence accorded to her. In addition, Siti Norma expressed confidence that it would contribute to closer relations between the UAE and Malaysia. -- MORE UAE-NORMA 2 (LAST) DUBAI The 67-year-old retired as Chief Judge of Malaya in 2007 after 43 years in the legal profession. She was the first woman in Malaysia to occupy the post. She advised female lawyers in the UAE to persevere in order to climb up the career ladder, pointing out that it took Malaysia more than two decades after independence to put a woman on the high court bench. "Your track record will not continue to be overlooked. It will come to a head and when that happens, you will find an Arab woman elevated to the bench in the UAE," she was quoted by XPress as saying. To a question, Siti Norma admitted that she used to get upset over gender-biased statements. "But over the years, I have learnt to accept them and treat them as a challenge," she said. Siti Norma was Malaysia's first woman High Court judge who went on to become Court of Appeal judge, Federal Court judge and finally the Chief Judge of Malaya in 2005. Born on July 6 1940 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, she studied law in London. -- BERNAMA MAM AOADVERTISEMENT